Lean on Me Chapter Eleven
Thank you very much you few reviewers, QueenKittyKat especially for her success, she is the first person to discover Naru's gender; she discovered this in a PM message, congratulations. Just to let you know, the secret will be gradually revealed starting this chapter; it should end by the climax of the next arc.
Best Friend
The platinum blonde observed the beautiful sight in front of her. Pitch black hair, much like her own man, steely black eyes and a bored expression. The typical 'cool' guy type that she was in to. As she let her eyes roam him without any restraint a small gasp was heard from inside the house.
Naru who'd become curious got to her feet and walked to the door, accompanied by her 'student' Rei. The sight was something she really didn't want to see at this moment in time. "I-Ino w-what are you doing here?" Naru asked the blonde, standing next to her was a confused looking Rei.
Naru was genuinely worried, she didn't want these two to meet, but she guessed it was inevitable. "Naru who is this?" Sasuke asked rudely with a blank expression on his face, pointing to the blonde as he turned his head to look at the red head standing behind him.
"Yes Naru, it's rude to not introduce me to this delectable thing" Ino said in a small squeal making Sasuke flinch slightly and Rei to hide behind Naru's leg from shyness. Ino didn't care about Sasuke's rudeness; in fact she didn't even notice it. She was the type of person who would often phase out anything that she didn't want to see.
"Oooh and who's this cutie?" Ino said excitedly, barging past the confused Sasuke bumping him to the side slightly as she made a beeline for Rei who hid herself even further behind Naru's leg, if that was even possible.
Naru felt like laughing, the first meeting between her two best friends was already off to a bad start. "Calm down Ino" Naru told the woman who stopped in her tracks confused.
"What have you done with my Naru?" she asked fearfully. It was expected, after all Naru was meant to be the over excited, hyperactive one, whilst Ino was the more calm and composed one of her group, the mini-role reversal was shocking to say the least.
Laughing slightly Naru pointed to Sasuke. "That is Sasuke" she told the platinum blonde, ignoring Ino's joke. Ino turned round and smiled with interest at the man who shook his head in bewilderment.
"I'll be in the kitchen" Sasuke said in a bored tone, using it as a way to escape. He disliked girls like Ino.
"Ooh he can cook as well" Ino giggled making Naru face palm and grab her by the shoulder.
"Quiet you" Naru told the woman who pouted in response; obviously she was more interested in watching Sasuke than listening to her.
"Buuut Naruuu" she complained childishly making Naru laugh along. "This is Rei by the way" Naru said getting to the point, putting her hand behind her Ino who looked seeing nothing there.
"Naru... there's no-one there" Ino said with a blank expression making Naru jumped.
"Huh?" she mumbled as she turned around, and just like Ino claimed, Rei was nowhere to be seen. She had fled cleverly in the confusion. "Clever girl" Naru thought proudly, but she also knew she couldn't keep Rei hidden forever.
Now that Naru knew it was just them two she leaned over and whispered in Ino's ear. "What do you think you're doing appearing out of the blue?" Naru said in exasperation making Ino laugh. "Stop laughing, we've had a tiring day, you chose the worse day to come around to look at 'eye candy'" Naru said with suspicion laced in her tone, making Ino look to the side, faking innocence.
This faux innocence didn't last long as it was replaced by a sly smile. "Tiring day Naru?" she said suggestively making Naru blush. "With the daughter in the apartment as well" she continued to tease, "Daredevil" she joked.
"I'm not a sex fiend like you" Naru said dryly with a slight blush making Ino pout again.
"What's wrong did I upset little Naru again?" she joked as she bounded into the living room searching for the cute little thing she had spotted earlier. Naru just placed her head in her hands before shutting the door which no-one had decided to close.
"This isn't going to end well" Naru thought despairingly. "If I can just keep her from hitting on Sasuke at every chance I'll be able to limit the amount of damage" Naru thought determinedly as she walked into the living room.
"Rei sweetie" she called out and nearly instantly the door to her room opened slightly, Rei's face visible behind the door frame. "Come on out. She won't do anything" Naru said encouraging the girl who looked at her with trusting eyes before leaving the room making Ino aww, but before she could 'assault' the little girl Naru scolded her. "Don't even think of trying" she warned making Ino stop in her spot.
"Fine" she said as she spied the bags on the sofa. Catching her eye as easily as bright colours distract ADHD children, Ino walked over to the bags and searched them without permission. Naru watching this wondered how Ino had grown up with so little manners.
"Well she did grow up pampered to be a star" Naru thought as she walked over to Rei and picked her up, Rei didn't struggle and allowed Naru to do this.
"Ino" Naru said making the woman lift her head to see the cute bundle in Naru's arms. Her 'aww' made Naru laugh slightly. "This is Rei, Sasuke's daughter" Naru introduced before squeezing Rei slightly. "Rei this is Ino, my best friend and bandmate" she told the little girl who nodded slowly in comprehension.
"Bandmate?" Rei asked as Naru put her down and unlike how Sasuke had always avoided the conversation, Ino was too happily to talk about it.
"You haven't told her yet Naru?" Ino asked in genuine shock. After all Ino always made sure to tell everyone she was part of Yama and Nami, it made people treat her differently, besides Ino lived for the publicity unlike Naru who preferred to keep her private life, well private.
"I was going to but I never got around to it" Naru replied much to the confusion of Rei who felt as if she was being excluded bounced a little in frustration, an act that Naru found adorable.
"Tell me!" Rei demanded like the child she was, making the overly enthusiastic Ino happily oblige.
"Well if you come here little Rei maybe I'll tell you" Ino said beckoning to her, Rei being curious fell into Ino's little trap. When she reached the platinum haired girl, the diva wrapped her arms around the little girl. "Aww so adorable, Naru I'm officially jealous!" Ino said enviously as she cuddled the little girl who squirmed to escape to no avail.
"That was mean of you Ino" Naru said in response making Ino laugh.
"Tell me!" Rei demanded childishly making Ino aww before conceding.
"Naru and I are part of Yama and Nami" Ino said proudly making Rei's eyes go wide in surprise.
"R-really?" the girl replied in awe, she hadn't heard much of their songs, but she loved them. She'd heard them on the T.V. from one of the many anime shows she watched. She'd also heard them at the bus depot on the way to Konoha.
Naru who wasn't too surprised at Rei's excitement smiled. "Of course sweetie" Naru said as she approached Rei and Ino. "Ino and I share the vocals, I make the music and she writes the lyrics" Naru informed her cutest little fan.
Rei hearing the looked over her shoulder at the grinning Ino and felt confused. "She writes lyrics?" she asked unconvinced this made Naru laugh and Ino frown a little.
"Little Rei is mean" Ino complained and squeezed her sides making the little girl giggle against her will. "She really likes you Naru if she's so mean to me" she said with a slight sulk making Naru smile inwardly.
"She has good taste" Naru joked making Ino laugh.
As the women gushed over the little cutie that Rei was, Sasuke watched from the kitchen door, eyes focused on the platinum blonde. He didn't know why, but she was very irritating. He often didn't feel like this, he'd usually put up with people like her. However Ino looked like the sort of person he could never get along with. "Annoying" he thought as he saw Ino cuddle Rei once more against her will, involuntarily twitching at the sight. As he was about to turn to walk back into the kitchen Ino turned around.
"Can't keep your eyes off me I see" Ino said with a sly smile making Sasuke frown in response. The way she looked at him irritated Sasuke. It was as if she was surveying a piece of meat. Usually a frown would discourage people, but not Ino who laughed just in response. "Cheer up handsome" she said in a sultry tone before getting to her feet letting go of Rei who stumbled over to Naru.
"Tch" Sasuke growled before walking back into the kitchen once again, funnily enough it seemed to be the only place of solace in the entire apartment.
"He's so much fun to tease Naru" Ino told her best friend who couldn't deny the truth to her words, despite that she still felt slightly annoyed.
"Could you stop teasing him Ino" Naru asked the girl who raised an eyebrow. "He may be calm right now but he can get so grumpy" Naru said ambiguously. She was actually referring to the time she insulted him when drunk upon their re-union.
"If that happens you'll just have to calm him down. I'm sure you know what I mean" Ino sniggered as Naru turned bright red.
"Yeah Naru can calm daddy easily!" Rei said with a giggle not understanding what Ino meant making Naru even more embarrassed. "Daddy is always happy around Naru!" Rei said surprising Naru. To her Sasuke came across as content, but happy wasn't what she'd call it.
"Aww, she's so adorable" Ino repeated once again, this time Rei giggled. "Naru you have done the hard part already" Ino claimed with a small grin.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Naru questioned Ino who was wondering how someone as beautiful as Naru could be so innocent. "What do you think sweetie?" Naru asked the little girl who titled her head before shaking it.
"Naru" Ino said with a hushed tone and crawled over to Naru. "The hardest part about single fathers is their children" Ino said whispered. "Once you have them, claiming the daddy isn't hard" Ino finished making Naru blush furiously.
"How many times must I tell you Ino, that isn't my intention" Naru complained futilely.
"Fine then I guess I'll have to take him then" Ino said with a gleeful tone, the look that Naru gave her made her smile. "What you afraid of a little competition?" Ino asked making Naru shake her head.
"You have no idea what is going on Ino, please stop" Naru begged slightly. "Anyways you have Sai... as boring as he is" Naru said making Ino gasp.
"Sai isn't boring... in the bedroom" Ino started before instantly going to his 'good points'. Not even Ino could deny that Sai was a little boring, but he could be funny at times when he showed emotion, shame those were few and far between. "Anyways there isn't a rule that says I can't have two at once" Ino claimed.
Naru gave her best friend a blank expression. "Seriously Ino you sound like a slut" Naru thought but she didn't vocalise it. "Regardless, I'm not letting him stay here for your kind of reasons" Naru said with a slight frown. "Let's just get off this topic" Naru decided making Ino sigh.
"Fine" Ino conceded. "At least admit he's good looking" Ino said with a pout.
"Fine he's good looking" Naru said with a small blush just as Sasuke entered the room again.
"What was that dobe?" A voice called from the kitchen door when Naru turned to him she saw a small smirk plastered on his face. "Who exactly is good looking?" he said with sadistic glee as Naru avoided eye-contact.
"Oooh" Ino had to butt in making Sasuke grunt slightly. "Of course she meant you gorgeous, who else would she mean?" Ino said making Naru turn red as a tomato, Rei giggled and joined in with Ino embarrassing Naru further.
"Daddy thinks Naru is beautiful as well" Rei claimed making the grown man flinch. It was a slip of the tongue by a young girl who was caught up in the moment.
"Really?" Ino asked, when Rei nodded Ino directed a small grin at Sasuke who shuffled uncomfortably. "That looks like a yes to me right Naru?" Ino asked as she turned to the red head who was starting to have a brain overload.
"I'm saying nothing" Sasuke butt in with a bored tone, hoping it would steer the conversation off course. "I only came in here to tell you dinner was ready and I have to put up with this" Sasuke said in exasperation.
"Aww who's getting all shy" Ino joked making Sasuke glare at her slightly but it didn't even phase her.
"Has this woman got ice for veins or is she just retarded?" Sasuke wondered slightly as he walked into the kitchen and came out with some expertly made roast chicken, Naru wouldn't ask where it came from, nor would she complain.
"Hey where's mine?" Ino complained as she spotted only three plates.
"Why would I make you some?" Sasuke asked harshly. "Naru didn't tell me you were intending on visiting so I didn't make anything for any guests" he said in a hostile manner.
"Aww you sound like a married couple" Ino said gaining an instantaneous glare from Sasuke which was much sharper than the previous one, this one contained real anger and for the first time Ino was fazed by it.
"Far from the truth" Sasuke said bitterly making Naru flinch. She knew that Ino said something that she really shouldn't have. Even little Rei picked up on this, quickly grabbing her food and eating it so she could escape the hostile atmosphere.
Ino didn't understand what was so wrong about what she had said. She guessed that he had a thing against marriage, still under the impression that Sasuke was a single father undergoing a divorce. "Naru what is this about?" Ino whispered desperately as Sasuke continued to glare at the woman.
"Sasuke's wife died" Naru whispered back grimly making Ino's face contort. "Sasuke is going through some things right now" Naru whispered making Ino gasp.
"I hope you aren't sharing anything inappropriate Naru" Sasuke warned, albeit a little more gently than how he was treating Ino, but there was clear hostility in his voice. "How could that annoying woman say that, do we really come off like that?" Sasuke thought curiously. "So is Naru really trying to replace Sakura?" the thought returned to Sasuke's mind, the one thought he had dismissed earlier.
"I can say what I want Sasuke" Naru challenged making Sasuke look at her for a few moments before grunting slightly. "She didn't know Sasuke, could you please forget about it?" Naru asked the man who avoided eye contact.
"S-sorry" Ino apologised uncharacteristically, but it was a good start.
"Fine" Sasuke said as he carried his food to the small table. Sitting down to eat his chicken, even if he accepted her 'apology' he still looked annoyed. "Just don't talk about something so idiotic again" Sasuke said adding emphasis to idiotic, it slightly hurt Naru if she was to be honest.
"Don't fight" Rei cut in making Sasuke flinch. "Stop being mean to Naru" Rei requested cutely, Sasuke didn't really understand why she'd be angry about it, often or not she took his side on everything.
"Why does this make me feel apprehensive?" Sasuke thought warily as he spotted Naru take her food and begin to eat.
The atmosphere when eating was very heavy. Ino was full of remorse and Naru wanted to stay as quiet as possible. This made the meal silent and short. Naru offered Ino some of hers which she gratefully took.
When her part of the meal was finished Naru walked over to Rei who looked kind of sad at her father's outburst and tapped her on the shoulder. "Sweetie do you want to get back to practicing?" Naru whispered into the girl's ear.
"Un!" she chimed happily back, her smile revived. As the two walked over to the piano, Ino looked at Sasuke who was unmoved from his spot.
"Sorry again" Ino apologised after she swallowed some chicken. "I was just excited that Naru finally found someone" Ino admitted making Sasuke raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" he asked in a hushed tone, he didn't want Rei or Naru to hear.
"You are the first guy I've ever seen her interested in" Ino said as she looked at Naru who was smiling happily as she guided Rei through the basics, it was a genuine smile. "Naru tends to avoid most people" Ino said making Sasuke scoff for the first time in her presence.
"The dobe being shy?" Sasuke asked making Ino slightly interested as to where the weird nickname originated. "I don't think that in 'her' character" Sasuke said, saying her hesitantly making Ino slightly curious but she didn't ask about it.
"She has problems opening up to people" Ino said remembering the first time she met Naru.
-Ino Flashback
Ino sat in Neji Hyuuga's office, one leg crossed over the other feeling rather impatient. Ino was aged 18 and had been signed with Hyuuga Records since she was 15. Yet despite this she had yet to make her debut. In her opinion she believed she was being held back for no reason.
As she stroked a few strands of her platinum blonde hair behind her ear a knock was heard at the door. "Come in" Neji said in a level tone.
As the door opened Ino became curious and turned around to see two women. One was around Neji's age, she wore a suit of a businesswoman and glasses, her brown hair was tied up in a bun, besides that she didn't really interest Ino much.
The second was a little more interesting. She looked the same age as herself, possessing beautiful long red hair and alluring azure blue eyes. Despite her inherent beauty the woman was timid. She kept her head down and looked at the floor, unable to tear her gaze from the dark blue carpet.
"Neji, I brought her as you requested" the older woman said in a tone of familiarity, whoever she was she must have been close with the boss of Hyuuga Records.
"Thank you TenTen, would you mind leaving us alone for a minute" Neji replied politely with a small smile, it was an uncommon sight for Ino who made sure to burn it to memory.
As the woman called TenTen walked towards the door the red haired girl followed. "Not you" the boss said sounding slightly amused, the red haired girl turned around with wide eyes revealing her full face for the first time.
"S-sorry" she stuttered, Ino almost scoffed at the complete lack of confidence the woman oozed.
"How could she be part of Hyuuga Records?" Ino wondered slightly, looking down on the girl. "Perhaps she is going to be my manager?" Ino thought, after all she surely couldn't be a musician, not with that timid attitude.
"Please sit down" Neji offered the girl who nodded and slowly approached the seat, sitting down before crossing her legs much like Ino had.
"Now that both of you are here I have a proposition for you" Neji said in a businesslike tone which instantly got Ino's attention. Ino noticed though that unlike herself the red haired girl wasn't concentrating on Neji, instead she was shuffling uneasily in her seat as if she was being overly self conscious.
"Go ahead" Ino answered not waiting for the red haired girl who'd already made a bad impression with her.
"I'd like you two to form a pair" Neji said frankly striking a chord with Ino, the other girl though seemed to accept it much to Ino's disgust. "She'll surely drag me down" was Ino's first thought.
"No way!" Ino screamed out pointing at the girl. "I've never heard her sing! I don't even know her name!" Ino continued her hissy fit making the girl look downwards again nervously, before Neji could scold her, the red head spoke up.
"M-my names Naru Namikaze" the girl said shyly in her sweet voice which surprised Ino. "I-I may not look much but let me sing first" Naru asked making Ino scowl inwardly.
"Sure go ahead" Ino said encouraging the girl.
"R-right here?" Naru asked making the platinum blonde nod her head. Neji looked angry but he also looked kind of curious, Ino suspected that he hadn't even heard Naru sing.
"Probably got some recommendation" Ino guessed before turning her attention back to Naru. "Right here" Ino demanded making the young adult gulp.
"O-ok" she replied making Ino smile. "What should I sing?" she asked making Ino think for a minute.
"Hm, have you heard of Follow the Nightingale by KOKIA?" Ino asked with a small smile, thoroughly surprised when Naru nodded her head.
"Yes" Naru said and for the first time confidence bloomed in her voice. Ino and Neji both stared at Naru as she shuffled her seat forward to Neji's desk. "Do you mind me using your desk?" Naru asked the man who seemed amused and gave her permission.
Naru then started to drum the desk with her index fingers to the tune of the instruments. That enough was impressive for Ino but from the moment Naru opened her mouth, it was entirely different story.
Her voice was heavenly, her pitch was perfect and she began to hit every note flawlessly. Ino watched as a smile lit up on Naru's face as she reached the chorus, a cheerful expression which she had been lacking. It was energising and made Ino get caught up in her rhythm.
Ino didn't know when she started, but she joined in matching the red head it continued throughout the song. When finished Ino stared at Naru shocked, Ino would have to admit that the girl had real talent.
"Amazing" Neji said with a small clap making Naru blush. "So Mrs. Yamanaka do you think you can give her a chance?" he said with an all knowing tone.
"Yes" Ino said much to the surprise of the red head. "How could I say no to having such a talented girl as my partner" Ino said, attitude already changed. "Besides it's fitting that I'd have an equally beautiful girl as my partner right?" Ino said with a small smile to the red head who smiled brightly at Ino's words.
"Yes" Naru replied shyly.
The scene brought a smile to Ino's face. She had been completely wrong about Naru and it was one of the few things she'd admit to being wrong about. Since then the two had become best friends. Yet her insecurities were still visible from time to time.
"I see" replying to Ino's comment about Naru not being able to open up to people. It left him slightly curious, but he accepted Ino's apology nonetheless. "Just don't speak of us like that again please" Sasuke requested making Ino nod, but it didn't mean she wouldn't tease Naru about it.
"Well then I'll go wash up the dishes" Sasuke said taking the plate from Ino's hand.
"Quite the little homemaker aren't you" Ino jibed making Sasuke grunt before grabbing the rest of the plates and fleeing to the kitchen again making the blonde laugh openly.
After that she turned around to join Naru and Rei at the piano to play around a little more.
The rest of the evening was of a lighter tone. Sasuke had turned on the T.V. and began watching some cop drama that was on. The girls on the other hand played around on the piano, Ino who was also a beginner joined in as a student.
Rei was learning already and it made Naru feel a tinge of pride. "Hehe" the little girl giggled as Naru said she was already better than Ino.
"Hey it's not my fault she's a fast learner" Ino joked making the little girl giggle again, Rei seemed proud of herself which was heart warming for the two. "Watch out Naru today she's learning the basics but a few years down the line she'll be better than you" she joked to the red haired woman who actually thought about it momentarily.
"That's actually a possibility" Naru said bluntly. "I only started learning when I was 14" she said with a smile. "Rei has a nine year head start" Naru said with a smile before patting the girls head. "That's if Sasuke doesn't move out at first chance" Naru thought, feeling slightly upset at the thought.
"Either way I'm a singer, I'm not so good with instruments" Ino said in such a way that it sounded prideful.
"Whatever you say Ino" Naru joked making the woman fake a sob.
They continued like this for awhile until Ino got to her feet. "Well I think I'll head off now" she said making Rei openly express her disappointment with an upset 'aww'. This quickly changed when Ino patted her on the head and said "I'll come around again soon though" making the girl smile.
As Ino walked to the door she turned to Sasuke who was still engrossed in watching the T.V with numerous shopping bags around him. "See you later Sasuke" Ino said catching the man's attention.
"Yeah see ya" he said in a bored manner, but still brought a smile to Ino's face. With that Ino left the apartment.
"That wasn't so bad" Naru mumbled to herself before Sasuke turned around from his spot of the sofa and looked at her with a serious expression on his face.
"She isn't going to be coming around often is she?" he asked sounding slightly fearful of the prospect making Naru laugh.
"No but she will be occasionally" Naru joked making Sasuke grumble before turning around to watch his show.
(End Chapter)
Finally got this chapter out of the way. You may not understand what I mean by revealing what Naru is in this chapter but the flashback is actually quite revealing if you can delve into the psychological side a little bit.
Everyone the first true story arc is coming up soon, so look forward to it :) Trust me it'll be quite good
I'm officially aiming for 100 reviews now for some reason, so I'd appreciate all the reviews I can get.
Hope you lot all enjoyed, I'll try and update soon, however it should be noted The more Reviews, the faster the update.
-Aquilon